'We are not fooling around': Local fire department charging smoke detector violators
The chief of the St. Marys Fire Department is through with warnings about smoke detectors.
Chief Richard Anderson’s department is now laying fines against those who don’t comply.
“It’s to get the message out that as a fire department, we are not fooling around. We have to take this seriously and so do people.”
The move follows a rash of serious house fires -- five in just a four-month period.
Normally St. Marys, a town of 7,200, expects one to two house fires a year.
“To have that many fires in that short period of time was quite alarming.”
In one case, a garage is all that remains of a blaze that destroyed a family home on Queen St. E.
Anderson says it was seconds away from being a devastating loss.
“That family did not have smoke alarms - at all - in that house. And the main occupant, only by chance when he went to the bathroom, discovered that his living room was on fire. And he quickly got his wife and son out of the house.”
In the aftermath, all were thankful for the lives saved.
But with no safeguards in place to prevent what could have been a tragedy, Anderson made a decision.
“We charged the homeowner after they had a major loss like that. Now, we feel bad; we have a heart, but at the same time, we had to get the point across that residents cannot operate like this. They have to have those smoke alarms.”
Anderson says it to not only protect residents but also the firefighters who respond to calls.
That’s why he says the charges will continue.
The most recent count was just days ago against a Wellington St. S. resident.
Anderson’s team laid a $360 fine after making a startling discovery, “The actual smoke alarms were disconnected.”
The chief says it’s not all that uncommon.
“We find that occupants will disconnect them because of the chirping and stuff like that, with the intention maybe I’m going to get another one, and then it kind of goes by the wayside, and they forget about it."
Which is why Anderson hopes people won’t forget his department is now frequently forgoing warnings for charges.
“It’s to get the message out that as a fire department, we are not fooling around. We have to take this seriously and so do people."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.